10% The increase in San Diego County’s population during the past decade. California’s also grew 10 percent, while the United States’ increased 9.7 percent. All three of those rates were low compared with historical growth patterns dating to the 1950s, according to the Census Bureau.

32% The percentage of the San Diego County population that was Hispanic; nationally, Hispanics accounted for 16.3 percent of the population.

11% The percentage of San Diego County’s population that was Asian; nationally, Asians accounted for 4.7 percent of the population.

10th San Diego is home to the 10th-largest Hispanic population, among the most populous counties nationwide. It also had the ninth-highest percentage of Hispanics in the country, among the most populous counties.

3.1 million Residents in the county, making it the fifth-largest in the nation. The biggest was Los Angeles County, followed by Cook (Chicago), Harris (Houston) and Maricopa (Phoenix). In California, the five largest counties (in order of size): Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino.

1.3 million Residents in San Diego city, making it the second-largest in California behind Los Angeles and the eighth-largest in the nation. In 2000, San Diego ranked No. 7, but the city lost that slot to San Antonio in 2010.

52% Rate of growth since 2000 for San Marcos, the most rapid population increase in San Diego County.

1st California’s ranking in the number of Hispanic residents. It is tied for second among all states in the percentage of Hispanics in the total population.

46.5% The percentage of Hispanics in the United States who live in California or Texas. Those two states were home to half of the Hispanic population in 2000.

Elizabeth Aguilera • U-T

New homes. Redeveloped urban centers. Appealing rural escapes.

The plethora of ways San Diego County’s population expanded and otherwise shifted in the past decade extended across the region, from San Marcos to southeast San Diego and from the coast to the unincorporated backcountry.

A more detailed, neighborhood-level analysis of 2010 census data shows that minorities, development and the economy were key to those changes.

“If there was one theme that pops in my mind, it’s this: There is increasing diversity throughout San Diego County,” said John Weeks, director of the International Population Center at San Diego State University.

While a few cities experienced dramatic population growth, greater numbers of city dwellers sought a country-like environment in communities such as Valley Center, Borrego Springs, Fairbanks Ranch and Alpine. Much of the increase came from construction of estate homes and farmers converting agricultural land to housing.

Countywide, no other place underwent as much expansion as San Marcos. Its population soared 52 percent in the past decade.

“San Marcos still has about 25 percent developable land,” said Jenny Peterson, spokeswoman for the city.

San Marcos officials attributed the rise to new master-planned communities, including San Elijo Hills, and a slew of redevelopment projects that have transformed older neighborhoods into mixed-use ones with higher density. The city also has become an educational hub with the growth of Cal State San Marcos and other schools.